Purity's Greed

Chapter 3: Warmth

Ban ran out of the village. He kept running and running with Derieri still unconscious in his arms. He looked up into the sky and saw a group of red and gray demons flying. He decided to follow them, thinking that they were heading into battle. As he kept running, he felt an enormous amount of magical power, and one of the sources felt familiar. "That's Diane. Alright, I'm close. Just hang in there a little longer, Derieri." He came to a clearing in the forest and saw an army of knights on horseback with Diane in the middle. Far behind them, near the walls of Liones, he could see the Boar Hat. Ban ran towards it and banged on the door. Elizabeth opened it and was shocked to see Ban, but was even more surprised to see who he was with. "Ba-" Elizabeth said but was interrupted by him barging in and running upstairs. He ran into one of the bedrooms and placed Derieri on the bed. Elizabeth, along with King and Gowther, followed him upstairs. Ban got a wet cloth and draped it on her forehead.

Elizabeth entered the room, along with the others. "Why did you bring one of the Commandments here?! Are you trying to get us killed?!" King asked aggressively. "It's not what it looks like," Ban replied. "Not what it looks like? How is it not what it looks like?!" King yelled. "That's enough King. Ban, do you have them?" Elizabeth asked. "Have wha- oh right, the Captain. He's fighting the Demon King in Purgatory right now. He told me to tell you that he's coming back, no matter what," Ban said as Elizabeth looked down, disappointed. "Hey, he is coming back. He promised, and when the Captain makes a promise, he keeps it." Ban said to reassure her which made her smile. He looked back at Derieri with a concerned look on his face. "What's wrong?" Elizabeth asked. Ban looked back at them. He sighed and explained everything. How they fought Estarossa and how Monspeet sacrificed himself to save her life. He also told them that he was asked to keep the Commandments of Reticence and Purity away from Estarossa and to protect Derieri.

"I see. Is she aware of what happened?" Gowther asked. Ban shook his head. "I'll tell her when she wakes up, though it's probably not gonna go well," Ban replied. "Let me know if you need anything." Elizabeth said as the three walked out of the room. "Thanks, Princess."

An hour had passed and Ban stayed by Derieri's side, waiting for her to wake up. "Mmm..." She started to open her eyes. "Well look who's finally awake," Ban said with a smile. "W-where am I?" Derieri asked drowsily. "The Boar Hat. The Capta-, I mean Meliodas' tavern," Ban responded. Derieri got out of bed and looked out the window. "What happened? Where's Monspeet?" She asked. Ban looked down at the floor, his smile faded. "Ban, what happened?" She asked but this time with a more concerning tone. "I'm sorry...After Estarossa used Full Counter, he was going to kill you, until Monspeet jumped in front of the sword...which pierced his last heart." He told her what happened after that. Derieri was in shock. She didn't know what to say or do. Her only friend, the person she cared most about, is gone forever. 

A single tear fell down her cheek and her lips started quivering. Ban stood up from his chair, rushed over, and pulled her into a hug. "I'm so sorry," he said. She was trying not to cry. "It's alright. Just let it out." Hearing those words, she hugged him tightly and broke down crying. "I got you," Ban said, trying to comfort her while slowly caressing her hair. He looked up to the ceiling, thinking to himself.. "Damn you, Estarossa. You're gonna pay."

After ten or so minutes passed, she began to calm down. "You need anything?" Ban asked. "No thanks. I think I just want to be alone for a little bit," Derieri said. "Okay, I'm gonna head down stairs. I need to talk with the others," Ban said as he left the room. "Oh, I almost forgot. If you need anything, I'm here for ya, alright? Don't hesitate to ask," Ban said as he peered around the door frame with a smile. Derieri smiled back and Ban walked downstairs. She sat on the edge of the bed. Her thoughts still dwelled on Monspeet, but something else caught her attention. "Hm? What's this warm feeling in my face and stomach?" Derieri said to herself. Now that she is no longer bound by the threat of being cursed by her Commandment, she is allowed to show love and affection. She laid down on the bed and stared at the ceiling. She was still thinking about Monspeet but then they turned into thoughts about Ban. Whenever he was on her mind, that same feeling from earlier only grew warmer, and it made her...happy.